Illegal coal mining in Assam; govt announces CID inquiry

GUWAHATI, February 13, 2018: The Assam government has announced a CID inquiry into illegal coal trade and smuggling in the state.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, replying on behalf of the Home minister, made the announcement in the state Assembly here, and said the government was determined to root out corruption.

Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia (Congress) demanded a CBI enquiry into the coal scam, as the matter allegedly involved a mining behemoth and the matter was beyond the mandate of the state CID.

The minister also informed the House that 184 corruption-related arrests, including those in the ‘cash-for-job’ scam of Assam Public Service Commission (APSC), have been made since the BJP-led state government came to power in the state on May 24, 2016.

Stating that the President of India had given sanction to prosecute incarcerated then-chairman of APSC Rakesh Paul, he said the chargesheet in the case will be submitted soon.